Deputy Francisco Javier Perez, a five year employee with the Marion County Sheriff's Office and currently assigned to the bailiff unit, is accused of passing letters to Marion County inmate Jessica Soverns, 24, according to the Ocala Star-Banner.

He verbally resigned Wednesday.

Officials said the contents of the letters indicated Perez was having a relationship with Soverns during the month of February 2013.

"From day one of training, deputies are instructed not to commit such non-professional actions with inmates," said Marion County Sheriff Chris Blair. "Our people are held to a higher standard and the evidence shows Perez failed those standards in a criminal way."

Perez returned to work after being suspended in November 2012 for violating five Marion County Sheriff's Office operation directives including derelictions of duty.

In that investigation, it was revealed Perez used a Sheriff's Office vehicle and fuel for personal use for approximately two weeks without approval.

Introduction of contraband into a correctional facility is a third-degree felony.